Ohrid Lake – largest natural lake in Macedonia

Ohrid Lake is the largest and most important natural lake in Macedonia and probably the most important biological stagnant water ecosystem in Europe.

It features a rich history of culture, archaeological sites and natural beauty. Thanks to these features, the 1980 Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were declared world heritage under UNESCO protection.

Ohrid Lake is a tectonic lake in the southwest part of the Republic of Macedonia. Located on the border between Macedonia and Albania, between the mountains Petrino, Galichica and Suva Gora (Dry Mountain) on east, Belicka and Mokra mountains to the west.Greatest length of Ohrid Lake on direction north – south is 30.35 km, the largest width is 14.5 km, with total length of lake shore of 86.2 km, of which to Macedonia belong 50.4 km and to Albania 35.7 km.

Ohrid Lake lies at an altitude of 693.17 meters and covers an area of 348.8 km 2, of which 229.9 km 2 or 65.9% belong to Macedonia and 118.9 km 2 or 34.1% to Albania. Maximum depth of the lake is 287.5 m, and the average is 144.8 m. In this lake total accumulated water on average is 50.5 km3.
The Lake is filled with water from the karstic springs located along the east coast (St. Naum spring, Tusemiste, Biljanini Izvori , etc.)., from precipitation that are secreted directly above the lake surface, the water condenses directly above the lake surface, and the surface tributaries: Cherava, Koselska River Daljan and Sateska River.
Lake loses water trough vapor, and mostly trough the river Crni Drim (Црни Дрим) (22 m 3 / s).
Average annual surface water temperature is 13,6 ° C. It is highest in August (22.3 ° C), the lowest in February (6.6 ° C), while the temperature of the water in the deepest parts of the lake is 6,0 ° C. Water is a blue-greenish tint, with transparency in July from 21.5 m.
Ohrid Lake is known for endemic Ohrid Trout (Ohridska Pastrmka) and many other former endemic species living organisms that are extinct in other lakes.